BILL REQ. #:  H-4975.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/01/10.   

     AN ACT Relating to the adoption of rules by the building code council regarding carbon monoxide alarm installation; and amending RCW 19.27.530.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 19.27.530 and 2009 c 313 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) By July 1, 2010, the building code council shall adopt rules requiring that all buildings classified as residential occupancies, as defined in the state building code in chapter 51-54 WAC, but excluding existing owner-occupied single-family residences legally occupied before July 26, 2009, be equipped with carbon monoxide alarms.
     (2)(a) The building code council ((may phase in the carbon monoxide alarm requirements on a schedule that it determines reasonable, provided that the rules)) must require that:
     (i) By January 1, 2011, all newly constructed buildings classified as residential occupancies will be equipped with carbon monoxide alarms((,)); and
     (ii) All other buildings classified as residential occupancies will be equipped with carbon monoxide alarms ((by)) beginning on January 1, 2013.
     (b) ((Owner-occupied single-family residences legally occupied before July 26, 2009, are exempt from the requirements of this subsection (2). However, for any owner-occupied single-family residence that is sold on or after July 26, 2009, the seller must equip the residence with carbon monoxide alarms in accordance with the requirements of the state building code before the buyer or any other person may legally occupy the residence following such sale.)) Any rules adopted pursuant to (a)(ii) of this subsection may not take effect until January 1, 2013, including rules adopted prior to the effective date of this section.
     (3) For existing owner-occupied single-family residences, the building code council shall adopt rules by July 1, 2010, requiring that owner-occupied single-family residences are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms when any alterations, repairs, or additions requiring a building permit occur. The rules requiring installation of carbon monoxide alarms should be modeled on existing building code council rules requiring installation of smoke alarms in existing residences.
     (4) The building code council may exempt categories of buildings classified as residential occupancies if it determines that requiring carbon monoxide alarms are unnecessary to protect the health and welfare of the occupants.
     (((4))) (5) The rules adopted by the building code council under this section must (a) consider applicable nationally accepted standards and (b) require that the maintenance of a carbon monoxide alarm in a building where a tenancy exists, including the replacement of batteries, is the responsibility of the tenant, who shall maintain the alarm as specified by the manufacturer.